The Positivity Platform

Edition #303

☀️ Good morning!

I don’t think this is going to be overly well-received. Strange thing to say at the start of a post that I want people to read, but I’m just going on the general sentiment around the Jets at the moment.

I’ve been writing about the Jets since around 2006, in that time I’ve probably penned thousands of articles. Considering we’ve not made the playoffs in over a decade, I imagine a lot of them had negative angles.

Today I want to buck that trend. Before we get into it I want to be clear that I’m absolutely pissed about the end of the season. I hate that the offense has stagnated, I hate we finished the season on a 6-game losing streak and it makes me sick to my stomach to think that Zach Wilson may end up being the biggest draft bust in Jets history.

But, I refuse to look at 2022 as a wasted season. It may not be a popular opinion but I’ve never been one to shy away from writing unpopular thoughts down. So get ready for a big old dose of positivity, if you need to have a shot of whisky in your coffee to make it more palatable, I won’t judge (over 21s only of course).

First, we have a ton of quick throws to get to with it being exit day yesterday.

👴 Robert Saleh confirmed that the Jets are “definitely” going to add a veteran presence to the coaching staff next year. Gary Kubiak is a very obvious choice there. After earlier saying that struggles always start with the coach, after being asked directly about MLF.

🆚 Saleh also confirmed that he expects Zach Wilson to take a leap in year 3, confirming he'll have the chance to compete. He did however refuse to commit to him as the Jet’s starting QB next year. It would be impossible for him to do that.

📢 Joe Douglas talked about the season being surreal in two very different ways. First starting 6-3 and then ends on a 6-game losing streak. Admittedly there is a lot of work to be done this off-season. He said the goal at the start of the season was to play meaningful football in December but “when you get to December at 7-4, that target changes”.

2️⃣ Douglas reiterated the Jet’s desire to work with Zach and help him reach his full pote total with the Jets. Said they've never been a team to give up on talent early. He also said it's not his choice if Zach is the starter or not. Like it or not, there's a good chance his legacy is tied to Zach Wilson unless he makes a major move for a proven NFL starter this off-season. Douglas did say the Jets would explore every avenue to upgrade the team.

👕 In every players locker there was a t-shirt hanging with the word “finish” printed on the front. The Jets failed to do that this year letting a playoff place slip from their grasp. They'll be hoping to learn from the experience.

🔥 Zach Wilson was asked how he'd feel if the Jets added a veteran QB this off-season, he said he would compete and “I'm gonna make that dude's life hell”. File this under I'll believe it when I see it and I'm not sure a Derek Carr or Jimmy G will be quivering into their cornflakes this morning.

💰 Quinnen Williams was the first player to talk to the media on bag day and he said “I want to be compensated for what I am" when asked about his contract. He spoke about his love of the team, coaches, and teammates, and how he wanted to be part of the New York Sack Exchange 2.0. He did clarify that if he didn’t get a deal done he would skip the voluntary section of off-season workouts, but he seemed confident the team would do right by him. "I love this organization. I've been here four years, been through the ups and downs. I want to be a part of it for years to come." - He’s done everything right, the Jets need to pay him.